Compliance Inspections – LCs 7, 16, 17 and 25

Site: Sizewell A

IR number: 15-081

Date: September 2015

LC numbers: 7, 16, 17, 25

Executive summary

Purpose of intervention

This report covers an inspection of Magnox Ltd’s Sizewell A nuclear licensed site on 1-2 September 2015. This inspection was undertaken as part of a programme of planned interventions as outlined in the Sizewell A IIS plan for 2015/16.

The inspection looked at the site’s arrangements for Management Systems, Reporting of events on site and management systems, Site Plans and Operational Records. I also met with site representatives while I was on site to discuss other matters of regulatory interest.

Interventions Carried Out by ONR

During this intervention, I carried out Licence Condition (LC) compliance inspections to verify compliance with the following Licence Conditions:

LC7 – Incidents on site

LC17 – Management Systems

LC16 – Site Plans

LC25 – Operational Records

My inspections were carried out against the requirements of LC7, 17, 16 & 25 and ONR’s published inspection guidance associated with these Licence Conditions.

Whilst on site I also held meetings with site representatives to discuss other matters of regulatory interest as defined in the report

Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate

Not applicable – This was not a Safety Systems Inspection.

Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made

I inspected compliance with Licence Condition 7 – Incidents on the site and reporting process. I was satisfied that the licensees’ arrangements meet the required standard as defined in ONR guidance and these were adequately implemented. Adequate screening and sentencing arrangements were evident, which ensure suitable onward reporting of key events to ONR. I sampled a number of investigations and found these to be adequate in their scope and depth of questioning. The actions resulting from investigations were well managed with a reasonable number remaining open, and none being overdue. Overall, I rated compliance with LC7 to be adequate.

I inspected compliance with Licence Condition 17 – Management Systems. The licensee demonstrated a clear alignment of how its arrangements support compliance with the licence conditions and other legal requirements, and through sampling the supporting documents I was satisfied that the procedures are to an adequate standard. A reasonable level of auditing, oversight and process ownership is applied to the systems, which demonstrated adequate governance is in place. I was satisfied that the arrangements and their implementation broadly met the standards defined in ONR guidance. Overall I rated compliance with LC17 to be adequate.

I inspected compliance with LC16 – Site Plans. The licensee demonstrated it had an adequate process for ensuring the site plans remain up to date, and keep track of changes as the site progresses decommissioning. The site plans were very clear and provided a very clear means of compliance with LC16 on a simple suite of documents. These are regularly updated and updates are communicated to ONR in a timely manner. I followed the trail of the current site plan to the records department, who quickly located the formal notification to ONR if its implementation. Due to the simplicity and clarity of compliance to ONR standards and the good standard of recording of changes and communication of these to ONR, I judged compliance to LC16 to be good.

I inspected compliance with Licence Condition 25 – Operational Records. I judged that the corporate eMWaste system provides an adequate means of compliance with the requirements of LC25(2) for the site, with adequate information having been established for all waste streams. Additionally for operational waste being managed for conditioning or shipment, a more timely and detailed record is maintained through the waste tracking system. I judged the systems together adequately comply with the requirement of LC25(2).

Whilst on site I also held meetings with site representatives to discuss:

The status of actions from The Active Effluent Treatment Plant – to follow up on an open ONR issue and establish progress to date and expected time for closure.

Conclusion of Intervention

From the evidence gathered during this intervention I judged the licensee’s compliance with Licence Conditions 7, 17 & 25 to be adequate, and compliance to Licence Condition 16 to be good. Some areas of good practice were identified, but no issues or actions were raised.